The most efficient draw stroke for practitioners of concealed carry is from a holster worn on the belt. Popular holster designs include strong side outside-the-waistband, traditional inside-the-waistband, and appendix inside-the-waistband carry. But what about the benefits of the crossdraw?

Considerations of the Unconventional Crossdraw Carry

For the vast majority of users and applications, the above types of holsters work out very well. Specifically, because the dominant hand can obtain a shooting grip, draw, and fire in the shortest amount of time while keeping body mechanics to a minimum.

However, there is another option that is less frequently encountered. In fact, it may be a better choice when the aforementioned designs would prove less than optimum—the crossdraw.

Ins & Outs of the Crossdraw

Crossdraw holsters have a long and rich history and came about during the frontier days of the American West. Until the latter half of the 20th Century, many law enforcement agencies wore crossdraw holsters on their duty rigs. Some were complete with a protective flap.

As the name implies, a crossdraw holster is worn opposite the shooter’s strong side. To draw, one has to reach across the body to access the handgun. A crossdraw holster typically cants the muzzle of the gun forward while the grip is angled down.

Crossdraw police duty holsters passed from the scene many years ago. However, concealment holsters remain in the mix, and just about every major manufacturer has one in their line. Nonetheless, crossdraws are the proverbial red-headed stepchild of the holster world, and some instructors/ranges actually ban them from use.

Much like a shoulder rig, it is conceivable that when removing the gun from a crossdraw holster, the muzzle may cross in an unsafe direction and cover other shooters on the line. This is the primary reason that crossdraw holsters are not utilized in shooting competitions. Especially where there are likely to be other people in close proximity.

But much like shoulder holsters and appendix inside-the-waistband carry, the risk of sweeping other shooters on the range can be minimized with a little attention to the details.

Advantages

Although I can legally carry concealed in other states, I can hardly characterize all of them as gun friendly. And some of the areas I’m traveling through are a bit on the sketchy side. I frequently travel by train and, while in the city, by subway, so a crossdraw holster often gets the call.

So why would I do that rather than carry my firearm in the usual location on the strong side hip? When in the seated position, it can be very awkward to produce a gun worn on the hip. Particularly if someone is sitting right next to you.

With my handgun in a crossdraw holster, I can place my hands on my lap and draw with minimum fuss. The holstered handgun is hidden under an untucked shirt, sweater, or loose jacket. For this reason, I can be on target in the blink of an eye.

Professionals who spend a good part of their day in a seated position would be very well served with a crossdraw holster. This could include drivers, bodyguards, protective details, and individuals involved in surveillance.

Spend a lot of time seated behind a desk or behind the wheel? Maybe a crossdraw would fit into your daily plan.

Advantages of the Crossdraw for Female Shooters

Yet another application for crossdraw holsters is the female user. Most off-the-rack concealment holsters utilize an FBI butt-forward rake and are designed around the male physique. When you put this same rig on a woman, the butt of the gun often rides way too high. This makes for a very inefficient draw stroke.

If we move the gun just beyond the body mid-line to the support side and utilize a crossdraw holster, both comfort and draw efficiency may improve by leaps and bounds. It may take a little more creativity to conceal the gun, but in the end, it may be worth it.

A Few Favorites

Like many pistoleros, I’m pretty fussy about holsters, and at times I have obtained a rig, which I felt held promise, only to find it didn’t make the cut. As a consequence, I have a very large box of discarded holsters, which includes a few crossdraws. However, there are a few bright spots that would serve you very well.

Bulman Gunleather

Josh Bulman has been turning out meticulously crafted holsters since 1999, and his SCS (Speed Crossdraw Scabbard) is indeed a work of functional art. Inspired by the Chic Gaylord S-1, the SCS was developed at the request of Air Marshalls following 9/11.

The holstered pistol rides fairly low and is ideally positioned for a fast draw from a seated position. Precise molding helps retain the weapon in active situations. Additionally, the SCS has proven to be a perfect match for my Glock 19.

Another favorite from the Bulman Gunleather line is the TJS (TJ Special). The TJS can be worn just forward of the hip on the strong side or as a crossdraw. I have three examples of the TJS and have long favored concealment holsters with a muzzle forward rake.

I have always worn the TJS on my strong side, but other users may prefer to wear it as a crossdraw. When compared to the SCS, the TJ Special will position the gun higher on the belt and make it more concealable. The forward rake will also play well to female users who have long suffered from designs that do not take the different shape of their body into account.

For more information, please visit Bulman-Gunleather.com.

DeSantis Gunhide

Over the years, DeSantis Gunhide has built a solid reputation for turning out quality concealment holsters at a fair price. First up for consideration is the Roscoe Cross Draw. Designed specifically for small-frame snub revolvers, the Roscoe scabbard hits it out of the park.

Like other DeSantis designs, the Roscoe Cross Draw is crafted from premium saddle leather and molded to the shape of the gun. It also features adjustable tension, which can be fine-tuned by the end user.

A feature I demand in any holster I utilize is the ability to return the gun with one hand. This is easily accomplished with the Roscoe Cross Draw. Available colors include tan and black.

Another slick crossdraw from the DeSantis line is the Sky Cop. Although it shares many of the desirable qualities of the Roscoe Cross Draw, such as premium saddle leather construction, detailed molding, and adjustable tension, the Sky Cop can accommodate full-size service pistols. This makes it suitable for a wider range of applications.

My copy was cut for a full-size Smith & Wesson M&P. The draw stroke from the Sky Cop was very smooth, even when working from a sitting position.

For more information, please visit DeSantisHolster.com.

Galco Gunleather

Galco continues to turn out some really fine gun leather, and the Hornet remains a personal favorite. The Hornet is yet another double-duty holster that can be worn either crossdraw or on the strong side appendix position.

Rendered from premium steerhide, the Hornet is available for a wide range of snub revolvers as well as compact and subcompact pistols. This holster strikes the ideal compromise of comfort, speed, and concealability.

For more information, please visit GalcoGunleather.com.

Pocket Concealment Systems

Pocket Concealment Systems has built a solid reputation for turning out top-notch holsters for smaller handguns. The Cross Draw is based on an original design by Lou Alessi, and my well-worn example has helped keep me safe for more than 20 years.

Crafted from first-quality, vegetable-tanned cowhide, the Crossdraw features excellent retention qualities and a super-fast draw. My new copy is cut for a Kahr K9 and is, indeed, the perfect sweater holster.

For more information, please visit PCSHolsters.com.

Making It All Work

Having the muzzle of a firearm cross in an unsafe direction is a legitimate concern when using a crossdraw holster. The good news is this can all be mitigated by proper positioning and good technique when drawing. With some proper training and practice, drawing from a crossdraw is no more dangerous than using a shoulder, ankle, or appendix inside-the-waistband rig.

First up, let’s consider parking on the belt. For the right-handed shooter, a crossdraw should be worn in the 1 o’clock position. Many people move it to the support side hip, which forfeits the advantage of a fast draw. It’s a much more efficient draw when the holstered pistol is close to the body centerline.

If a shooter is squared off to the target, simply lifting the gun up and out will direct the muzzle almost 90 degrees to the left or right. No problem if you are the only shooter out on the range but a big problem if there are other shooters up on the line.

When running a range on my job, I have the folks with crossdraw and shoulder holsters shoot in the extreme outside lanes where their muzzles will never cover another shooter.

Quite frankly, I, too, remain a little uneasy about a handgun moving in anything other than a 90-degree arc from the holster to the target. To achieve this, blade the body so the strong side foot is to the rear. When drawing, this will get your pistol straight up on target without covering everything in God’s creation.

Considerations of Draw Mechanics

There are a few caveats relative to draw mechanics that need to be considered. As you lift the gun from the holster, be sure you lift your support side arm up to chest level to avoid covering it with the muzzle.

When drawing while seated, exercise extra care not to let your finger come in contact with the trigger prematurely. Likewise, you don’t want to sweep the muzzle over your own body parts.

Crossdraw holsters continue to fill a useful niche. For my applications, I don’t feel a crossdraw is the best choice for everyday carry. But rest assured, I have a couple of copies on hand for the guns I most often carry.

You just never know when that special occasion might come up.

This article was originally published in the Personal Defense World April/May 2022 issue. Subscription is available in print and digital editions at OutdoorGroupStore.com. Or call 1-800-284-5668, or email subscriptions@athlonmediagroup.com.